Current Status

The Arlington Blending & Packaging site includes the area where the Arlington Blending & Packaging Company operated a pesticide formulation and packaging facility from 1971 until 1978. EPA placed the site on the National Priorities List (NPL) in 1987 because of contaminated ground water and soil resulting from facility operations. EPA, the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation (TDEC) and the site’s potentially responsible parties (PRPs) have investigated site conditions and taken steps to clean up the site in order to protect people and the environment from contamination. Site contamination does not currently threaten people living and working near the site. A water line connects residences and businesses to the public water supply. By monitoring ground water, implementing institutional controls and undertaking Five-Year Reviews, EPA, TDEC and the site’s PRPs continue to protect people and the environment from site contamination.

Site Location and Background

The 2.3-acre site is located on U.S. Highway 70 in Arlington, Tennessee, 23 miles northeast of Memphis. U.S. Highway 70 borders the site to the north, a CSX rail line borders the site to the south, the Mary Alice neighborhood, which includes minority residents, borders the site to the east and industrial land uses border the site to the west. The site’s broader surroundings include single-family residential areas and commercial and agricultural land uses. The Loosahatchie River is located approximately 3,000 feet north of the site. People use the river for swimming and fishing.

From 1971 to 1978, the Arlington Blending & Packaging Company operated a pesticide formulation and packaging facility at the site. Operations included blending pesticides with solvents and chemicals and packaging the products. EPA listed the site on the NPL in 1987.

Following cleanup activities, the site supports unrestricted use. The Town of Arlington purchased the site property in 2005 and redeveloped it into Mary Alice Park. The neighborhood park opened in 2006 and includes a walking trail, exercise stations, a half-court basketball court and playground equipment. The Town of Arlington worked with EPA to coordinate the park’s development with the implementation of the selected cleanup approach. In 2009, EPA awarded the site the Region 4 “Excellence in Site Reuse” award.

Contamination affected site ground water and spread to properties near the site. Shelby County implemented institutional controls in the form of a county ordinance to prohibit private wells within a half-mile of the site.

EPA assessed whether residents or workers might be at risk from harmful ground water vapors in buildings. EPA found that vapor intrusion did not pose a threat to residents and workers.

In 1998, EPA approved a Long-Term Monitoring and Maintenance Plan that included annual sampling of monitoring wells, semi-annual sampling of surface water sampling locations in the Loosahatchie River and annual reports submitted to EPA.

In 2011, EPA approved a Long-Term Monitoring and Maintenance Plan Addendum to update the plan to include two additional monitoring well locations and one additional surface water monitoring location.

Community Involvement

EPA has worked with the community and its state partner to develop a long-term cleanup plan for the site, reflecting the Agency’s commitment to safe, healthy communities and environmental protection. Community engagement and public outreach are core components of EPA program activities.

EPA has conducted a range of community involvement activities to solicit community input and to make sure the public remains informed about site activities throughout the cleanup process. Outreach efforts have included public notices, interviews and information meetings.

With support from EPA’s Return to Use Initiative, a group of citizens and local government representatives worked to address a range of site cleanup concerns, developed a community vision for a neighborhood park, purchased the site property and secured a federal grant to fund the park’s design and construction.